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Lesson 20 - COMPOSITION - Tutti

Full TuttiThe word tutti generally means the simultaneous use of all instruments, but the word "all" is used relatively, and it must not be inferred that every single instrument must necessarily be employed to form a tutti. In order to simplify the following illustrations I will divide the word into two classes, full tutti and partial tutti, — independently of whether the orchestra is constructed in pairs, in three's, or a larger number of instruments. I call full tutti the combination of all melodic groups, strings, wind, and brass. By partial tutti I mean passages in which the brass group only takes part, whether two horns or two trumpets participate alone, or whether two horns are combined with one or three trombones, without tuba, trumpets, or the two remaining horns, etc.:

Professor Belkin Comments: RK’s distinction here is not entirely clear. A simpler definition of a partial tutti is: the presence of two of the principal orchestral families, used as a mass (e.g. an oboe solo accompanied by strings is NOT a partial tutti, but string harmony together with wind harmony IS).

In both species of tutti full wood-wind may be employed or not, according to the register and musical context of the passage. For instance, in the extreme high register it may be essential to include the piccolo; in the low register flutes will be unnecessary, and yet the passage can still be called tutti. The inclusion of kettle-drums, harp, and other instruments of little sustaining power, as of the percussion in general, does not come under discussion.

The variety of orchestral operations increases with the number of instruments forming a tutti, in fact, so great does it become that it is impossible to consider all combinations. I can only give a few examples of full and partialtutti, and leave the reader to draw his own conclusions. Some of these examples fall under the double heading of full and partial tutti, and the student is reminded that the tutti, is used essentially in forte and fortissimo, rarely in pianissimo and piano passages.

Professor Belkin Comments: It seems paradoxical, but the more instruments there are playing, the LESS ways there are to arrange them. This is because the loudest instruments (the brass and certain percussion) force the others into specific registers if they are to be heard at all. So, for example, the upper woodwinds, playing together with a mass of loud brass instruments, MUST be placed above the brass; otherwise they are simply inaudible.

Professor Belkin Comments: While, as RK points out, tutti writing is mainly used in forte passages, the strange, menacing effect of a soft tutti is incomparable. Beethoven seems to have been the first to discover this sound, in the first movement of the 9th symphony.

For examples of Tutti chords, see special Tables at the end of Vol. II.

Tutti in the wind.

In many cases the wood-wind and brass groups can form a tutti by themselves for periods of varying length. Sometimes this is effected by the wood-wind alone, but more frequently with the support of horns. At other times the horns are found alone without the wood-wind, and, lastly, a tutti may be comprised of instruments of each group of varying numbers. The addition of kettle-drums and the rest of the percussion is quite common and constitutes what the Germans call "Janistscharenmusik", or Turkish infantry music. Violins and Double basses playing more or less important pizz. notes are often added to wood-wind instruments (tutti), likewise the remainder of the strings and the harps; this process renders the sustained notes in the wood-wind more distinct. Tutti passages in wood-wind and horns do not produce any great amount of power in forte passages, but on the other hand, tutti in the brass groups alone may attain an extraordinary volume of tone. In the following examples the formation of pedal notes by strings or wood-wind in no way alters the general character of the Tutti:Professor Belkin Comments: It is worth mentioning that these various kinds of partial tutti are very important in varying the overall sound. If all the orchestral families are present all the time, the effect becomes after a while quite grey and colorless.

The quartet of strings (pizzicato), reinforced occasionally by the harp and piano, may, in certain cases constitute a particular kind of tutti, which can only attain any great degree of strength by support from the wood-wind. Without this support it is of medium power, though still fairly brilliant in quality. Professor Belkin Comments: The interest of this ensemble is in its percussive quality. It is useful either to add definition to winds, or else as contrast to long passages of sustained tone.

Score References & Musical Examples Using GPO:

No.216. Snegourotchka, before Section 128; cf. also Section 153 and before Section 305.

No. 218. The May Night, Act I, The Mayor's Song - combination of strings, arco and pizz.

Click on Play Button below to Play from the Score

http://northernsounds.com/forum/principles/No218.swf

Tutti in one, two and three parts.

It often happens that a moderately full orchestral ensemble exe~cutes a passage composed of one or two harmonic parts, in unison or in octaves. Such melodic phrases call for more or less simple orchestration with the usual doubling of 'parts, or, in ornamental writing, admit of contrast in tone coloring, occasionally with the addition of sustained notes.Professor Belkin Comments: This rather bare texture should be sparingly used.